INTRO:  Is the conversion of farm land to land for housing reducing land available for food and fiber production? A recently released USDA study addresses that issue. The USDA's Bob Ellison has more. (1:45)

 

THE AMOUNT OF CROP LAND IS DECREASING IN THE UNITED STATES DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS. THAT'S ONE OF THE CONCLUSIONS FROM THE MAJOR LAND USES STUDY BY THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE. THE STUDY EXAMINED DATA ON LAND USE TRENDS FROM NINETEEN FORTY-FIVE TO TWO THOUSAND SEVEN.

 

Cynthia Nickerson, USDA ERS: We see productivity increases that are allowing farmers to grow more on less land over time and the reasons also vary by region. In some regions of the country where you have significant pressures to provide land for housing for example, you'll see declines in crop land. In other regions of the country it could be for other competing demands for land.

 

THE STUDY ALSO SHOWED THAT THE NATION'S CROPLAND IS BECOMING MORE CONCENTRATED IN AN AREA COMPRISED OF IOWA, INDIANA, MISSOURI, OHIO, AND ILLINOIS.

 

Nickerson: In 2007 we estimated about twenty five percent of total cropland is located in these five states, up from twenty one percent in 1964. On the other hand in the northeast and the southeast we've seen a long-term decline in cropland uses, and that's due primarily to two reasons, urban pressures and demands for land for housing and secondly because relative to other regions these regions don't have as favorable conditions for growing crops or marketing them.

 

AND DESPITE THE GROWTH OF MANY CITIES AND MORE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE U-S IS STILL RURAL.

 

Nickerson: The land in urban areas plus this rural residential land outside of urban areas still represents a very small portion of the total U.S. land base. About seven percent.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO E-R-S DOT U-S-D-A DOT GOV. I'M BOB ELLISON FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Tampa, Fla. (February 24, 2012) - A report on extreme weather events in the United States demonstrates the importance of disaster preparedness, said the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

"In the Path of the Storm," by Environment America provided several key findings:

• Since 2006, federally declared weather-related disasters in the United States have affected counties housing 242 million people - or roughly four out of five Americans.
• Since 2006, weather-related disasters have been declared in every U.S. state other than South Carolina.
• During this period, weather-related disasters affected every county in 18 states and the District of Columbia. (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Vermont.)
• More than 15 million Americans live in counties that have averaged one or more weather-related disasters per year since the beginning of 2006. Ten U.S. counties - six in Oklahoma, two in Nebraska, and one each in Missouri and South Dakota - have each experienced 10 or more declared weather-related disasters since 2006.
• More Americans were affected by weather-related disasters during 2011 than in any year since 2004. The number of disasters inflicting more than $1 billion in damage (at least 14) set an all-time record, with total damages from those disasters of at least $55 billion.

"These compelling statistics reveal that it is not a matter of if - but when - someone will be affected by a weather-related disaster," said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS. "We cannot avoid Mother Nature but we can better prepare our homes and businesses to reduce the amount of damage she can cause."

IBHS' website, DisasterSafety.org, offers guidance on ways home and business owners can protect their property from specific weather-related events. The site provides a free ZIP Code-based tool where a property owner enters their ZIP Code and receives a list of natural hazards common to their area.

or via direct message on Twitter @jsalking.

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About the IBHS

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

FAIRFAX, VA (02/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Josie Mumm, of Davenport, a student at Davenport Central High School has been selected to represent Iowa as a National Youth Delegate at the 2012 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University.

Mumm has been awarded opportunity to join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive study week-long of leadership in environmental science and conservation. Mumm was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies.

George Mason University along with partners, National Geographic and the National Zoo are excited to welcome the nation's youth scholars to Washington, D.C. With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment offers aspiring environmentalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week-long program is held at George Mason University's state-of-the-art campus. The Summit will encourage and inspire young leaders who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment will be held June 24-29, 2012.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in Northern Virginia minutes from Washington, D.C., Mason provides access to diverse cultural experiences and the most sought-after internships and employers in the country. In addition to environmental science and policy, Mason offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, organizational psychology, health care and visual and performing arts. With Mason professors conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as climate change, public policy and the biosciences, George Mason University is a leading example of the modern, public university. George Mason University -- Where Innovation Is Tradition.

About the 2012 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) is a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the important field of environmental studies and conservation in the 21st century. The Advisory Board, is chaired by Mark Bauman, Executive Vice President of National Geographic Television and co-chaired by Joe Sacco, Educational Director for the National Zoo. Additional members include world renowned scholars, distinguished scientists and award winning university faculty, such as Dr. Tom Lovejoy, noted environmentalist and former executive vice president of the World Wildlife Fund. Delegates gain an insider look at environmental science, policy and conservation issues. For more information visit us online at wyse.gmu.edu.

Leading Unified Communications Provider Helps Customers Position for Growth

DAVENPORT, IA - February 23, 2012 - Midland Communications, an industry leader in unified communications, announced today that the outlook for technology purchases by small to mid-sized (SMB) companies in 2012 is exceptionally positive. This outlook was confirmed by Technology Assurance Group (TAG), an international association of unified communications providers representing approximately $350 million in products and services. As a premier Member of TAG, Midland Communications is positioned as the dominant force in their marketplace and is able to better prepare and protect its customers for whatever the future holds.
Many small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are starting off the New Year by deploying advanced technology in order to secure a competitive advantage early on. Today's SMB needs to be more agile, efficient and better equipped to handle the challenges that 2012 will bring and many business owners are creating a gap between themselves and their competitors by implementing the technology offered by Midland Communications's. "Every sector is experiencing different growth rates, but when we step back and look at the big picture, it becomes clear that overall demand is up, and businesses need to have the tools necessary to gain a foothold in their industry," stated Dale Stein, Co-Founder of TAG.
Midland Communications's unique relationship with TAG, enables them to adopt cutting edge best business practices, deliver innovative programs, and partner with elite technology manufacturers and application service providers. Over the years, Midland Communications has leveraged this relationship to consistently deliver benefits to their customers that are simply unavailable to other technology providers. For example, Midland Communications is able to leverage the buying power of approximately 130 technology providers to receive deep discounts from manufacturers, and provide a lower cost to the customer. The bottom line of this partnership is that Midland Communications is better positioned to enhance employee productivity and increase profitability than any other technology provider in the market.
"We continue to be impressed with Midland Communications's stern commitment to their customers. At the end of the day, business owners are concerned with the bottom line and new technology is pointless if it doesn't increase your overall profitability," commented Stein. "Midland Communications has always focused on this fact and it shapes their recommendations and suggestions when working with their clients. As a result of this approach, their customers continue to thank them and I see a very bright future for Midland Communications," added Stein.
With growth opportunities on the horizon in 2012 many businesses are looking for ways to prepare for the large influx of sales they expect to see. This change will be driven by macroeconomic factors, but will be sustained by a business's ability to keep up with demand. Many businesses are investing heavily in technology and enlisting the help of elite technology providers like Midland Communications to make sure that whenever that wave of sales arrives, they're ready to ride it all the way to the bank.

ABOUT MIDLAND COMMUNICATIONS

.Midland Communications began more than 60 years ago in 1946 as the Worldwide Marketing Arm of Victor-Animagraph Projectors. In 1977 a communications division was formed due to a partnership with NEC America. Today, As a distributor of NEC America, for 33 years, Midland Communications has a customer base of more than 3,000 satisfied customers that include general businesses, government agencies, Universities, colleges, hospitals, and hotels.
Midland provides a wide range of communication services including VOIP, PBX and key systems, Wide Area and Local Area networking, computers, Computer integration, voice mail, CCIS, and video conferencing and paging systems. Our philosophy is simple, provide quality products at a fair price, backed by an average emergency response time of twenty minutes, and the best service in the industry. For more information on Midland Communications, call (563) 326-1237 or visit www.midlandcom.com.


ABOUT TECHNOLOGY ASSURANCE GROUP (TAG)

Technology Assurance Group, LLC (TAG) is an international organization of leading independently owned business communications companies. TAG provides its members with the competitive advantages necessary to achieve a dominant position in their marketplace. Members benefit from programs including strategic partnerships with communication solution providers, best business and management practices, and advanced sales training programs.  TAG's mission is to increase its Members' sales and profits through education and to ease their introduction of new technology to the marketplace by leveraging their combined intellect and purchasing power. For more information on TAG, please call 858-673-5800 or visit www.tagnational.com.


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